Lisa provided us with information on the services that Tulgeen offer, including one on one client services, in-home services, employment services and respite services in both Bega and Eden. Tulgeen have been empowering people with disabilities for over 40 years, they currently have 125 clients, ranging in ages from 18 to 89 years of age.
She noted some of the legislation changes that will affect how Tulgeen operates and provides their services. These changes will impact on the Tulgeen clients' ability to choose their particular activity of interest and those services will become more group based.
Tulgeen have worked hard over the last few years to maintain their NDIS registered service provider status and recently received an Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award.
Business
Charlie provided a wrap up of our successful Book Fair last month. Funds raised will go towards the support we offer the community this year, including our youth initiatives. Many books that look to be of a substantial quality and worth have been set aside for viewing, with the option of sale via known book sellers. We had many non-member assistance this fair and thank you emails have been issued. A big thank you to all the members involved and especially to Charlie who welcomed each person into the hall to purchase their books.
Ken gave us a brief explanation of the Funding Guidelines he and Cate had been preparing. The Guidelines will assist in the decision making process when groups ask for assistance in the form of funding.
Marg gave us an update of her Community Committee, she has several ideas that she will discuss further and has requested anyone interested in assisting her to make contact. She also filled us in on her discussion with CanAssist and the potential for us to support them in our Youth and Community focus. Keep your eyes out for our promotion of the Wunulla Trio at Wolumla Memorial Hall October 17.
Discussions
Eric spoke to us about "Grow the Future", a group of young people growing vegetables and producing eggs in Bega. While they have had grant assistance to set themselves up, Eric felt that they were worthy of our assistance to enable them to continue. Their name refers not only to their produce but also to the young people they nurture. There was positive feedback and Eric will provide some more information at a later date. Well done Eric for incorporating a courier role for Grow the Future during in his L2P Driver Mentor Program.
We have also committed $500 to the youth Battle of the Bands, which will be occurring at the Bega Street Light Festival this year. We had a brief discussion and agreed we would like our funds to go to the bands directly and not as a recording opportunity.
Trips and Falls Prevention was a presentation at Merimbula Rotary Club by a group of Physiotherapists from the South East Regional Hospital and communicated to us for consideration. The physio's talked of our aging population, with strength and
balance being the best preventatives for injuries resulting from trips and falls. They suggested Rotary may be able to assist by funding instructors or venues to make current classes more affordable, or by either become instructors themselves or assist instructors during classes. The members who discussed this item could see the benefit of the prevention program and requested that the physio group come and present to our club.
Another discussion point was the suggestion by Merimbula Rotary of Bega Rotary taking on the Merimbula Secondhand Bookstore. While one discussion group answered "No, as we don't have enough members available to man the store on a continuous basis", a second group pondered, "Could we open for only a couple of days per week?",
"Could we open during high tourist times?" and "What if there were somewhere in Bega that was cheaper rent or free?"
Upcoming Events
Dinner meeting 20th August - venue to be confirmed
Breakfast meeting 3rd September - Heritage Centre, ANU Medical students to present
Bega Street Light Festival 25th September, we will be requested to assist with set up and pack up again
